The works of Sir William Mure of Rowallan Edited with introduction, notes, and glossary by William Tough |
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| II. |
 | The works of Sir William Mure of Rowallan |  |
161
Doomesday
containing Hells horrour and Heavens happinesse
163
But now, my Sprite refresht a space,
Forbearing pressed steppes to trace,
Aspires aboue the vulgar prease,
to raise a second flight.
I feele my bosome, peece and peece,
Warmde with vnusuall flammes: Giue place
Eare-charming fancies, Artes disgrace,
affoording false delight.
Forbearing pressed steppes to trace,
Aspires aboue the vulgar prease,
to raise a second flight.
I feele my bosome, peece and peece,
Warmde with vnusuall flammes: Giue place
Eare-charming fancies, Artes disgrace,
affoording false delight.
Thoughts, which aboue the spheares inclyne,
Wings, furnish to my weake engine,
If Thou, O Lord, the Horne of Thine
in mee, this Rapture wrought.
Bee present by thy power divine,
Grant in my lines thy might may shyne,
From drosse of sinne my sprite refine,
raise from the earth my thought.
Wings, furnish to my weake engine,
If Thou, O Lord, the Horne of Thine
in mee, this Rapture wrought.
Bee present by thy power divine,
Grant in my lines thy might may shyne,
From drosse of sinne my sprite refine,
raise from the earth my thought.
164
But why thus pants thou in my breast
Affrighted soule, deprivde of rest?
What sudden feares thy joyes molest?
what jarres disturbe thy peace?
Why tremblest thou, with terrours prest,
To heare that fearefull doome exprest
By that great Judge, who euer blest,
is just, as full of grace?
Affrighted soule, deprivde of rest?
What sudden feares thy joyes molest?
what jarres disturbe thy peace?
Why tremblest thou, with terrours prest,
To heare that fearefull doome exprest
By that great Judge, who euer blest,
is just, as full of grace?
Heere pause a space, (My Soule,) acquent
Thy selfe this judgement to prevent:
No moment of our time is spent,
which thither doth not lead.
The dangers seene which doe torment
Thy troubled mind with discontent,
Gainst them let fervent sutes be sent,
Immunitie to plead.
Thy selfe this judgement to prevent:
No moment of our time is spent,
which thither doth not lead.
The dangers seene which doe torment
Thy troubled mind with discontent,
Gainst them let fervent sutes be sent,
Immunitie to plead.
Haste, haste my Soule, shake off delay,
Which too much of thy time makes prey.
Lay vp provision for that Day
there boldlie to arriue,
Where Reprobats, accurst for aye,
Shall wish in vaine their lifes decay,
That earth would to their soules make way,
them swallowing vp aliue.
Which too much of thy time makes prey.
Lay vp provision for that Day
there boldlie to arriue,
Where Reprobats, accurst for aye,
Shall wish in vaine their lifes decay,
That earth would to their soules make way,
them swallowing vp aliue.
Oh! what encounter sad shall bee
Twixt soules from darknesse chaines set free,
And bodies, mates in miserie,
calde foorth to bee combynd,
Not for reciprocall supplie,
As friends new joynde in amitie,
But neuer dying, aye to die,
in quenchlesse flammes confynde.
Twixt soules from darknesse chaines set free,
And bodies, mates in miserie,
calde foorth to bee combynd,
Not for reciprocall supplie,
As friends new joynde in amitie,
But neuer dying, aye to die,
in quenchlesse flammes confynde.
165
Death's loathsome den, detested Jayle,
Scout, following sin with stretched sayle,
Which fleeting froaths, which pleasures fraile,
on Rocke of shipwrack led.
Maske of mischiefe, sin's slender vaile,
Good Motions euer bent to quaile,
Which in the birth thou didst assaile,
them burying as they bred.
Scout, following sin with stretched sayle,
Which fleeting froaths, which pleasures fraile,
on Rocke of shipwrack led.
Maske of mischiefe, sin's slender vaile,
Good Motions euer bent to quaile,
Which in the birth thou didst assaile,
them burying as they bred.
Wretch, who to pamper dust didst doate,
Whom Hell attends with open throate,
Readie to retribute the lote
to thy deservings due.
Oh! what hath violate death's knot,
That still in graue thou didst not rot,
Masse overspred with sin's foule spot,
raisde anguish to renue.
Whom Hell attends with open throate,
Readie to retribute the lote
to thy deservings due.
Oh! what hath violate death's knot,
That still in graue thou didst not rot,
Masse overspred with sin's foule spot,
raisde anguish to renue.
Thus, (too, too late,) the Soule shall rayle;
Re-entring this abhorred Iayle,
Which recombyned, while both bevaile
Life's misgoverned raines.
Then Angels shall to Judgement haile,
There, whence no party can appeale,
To heare deathe's sentence countervaile,
Lyfe's Ioyes, with endlesse paines.
Re-entring this abhorred Iayle,
Which recombyned, while both bevaile
Life's misgoverned raines.
Then Angels shall to Judgement haile,
There, whence no party can appeale,
To heare deathe's sentence countervaile,
Lyfe's Ioyes, with endlesse paines.
O wretch! who Judgement heere delayes,
Whom false securitie betrayes,
Who ne're thy Sins' blacke summe surveyes,
which future anguish breedes.
Then shall the Auncient of dayes,
Who all men's works in ballance layes,
Examine all thy wordes, thy wayes,
thy thoughts, thy foule misdeeds.
Whom false securitie betrayes,
Who ne're thy Sins' blacke summe surveyes,
which future anguish breedes.
Then shall the Auncient of dayes,
Who all men's works in ballance layes,
Examine all thy wordes, thy wayes,
thy thoughts, thy foule misdeeds.
166
None shall this search seuere eschew,
From bookes laide open to the view
A summar processe shall ensew,
conforme to thy trespasse.
Thy sins all summond, Thee which slew,
Approving thy damnation due,
When all the blest cœlestiall crew
shall on thee verdict passe.
From bookes laide open to the view
A summar processe shall ensew,
conforme to thy trespasse.
Thy sins all summond, Thee which slew,
Approving thy damnation due,
When all the blest cœlestiall crew
shall on thee verdict passe.
Thou, who to lewdnesse now art prone,
What shame, what smart, (lif's pleasures gone,)
Shall on thee seaze, when gazde vpon
By earth, by angrie heauen?
When naked, comfortlesse, alone,
Thou trembling stands before the Throne,
Under God's wrath, guilt's loade doth grone,
Feares with thy faults made eaven.
What shame, what smart, (lif's pleasures gone,)
Shall on thee seaze, when gazde vpon
By earth, by angrie heauen?
When naked, comfortlesse, alone,
Thou trembling stands before the Throne,
Under God's wrath, guilt's loade doth grone,
Feares with thy faults made eaven.
When thy tormenting conscience torne,
Thou guiltie stands that Iudge beforne,
Whose Image did thy soule adorne,
who did infuse thy breath.
Who, pittying thee to sin forlorne,
Left heauens, was of an earthling borne,
Liude loth'd, dyde with contempt and scorne,
Emptyed the Cup of wrath.
Thou guiltie stands that Iudge beforne,
Whose Image did thy soule adorne,
who did infuse thy breath.
Who, pittying thee to sin forlorne,
Left heauens, was of an earthling borne,
Liude loth'd, dyde with contempt and scorne,
Emptyed the Cup of wrath.
Witnesse earth trembling at his paines,
Dayes beame, which all in clouds detaines,
The silver Moone, which pale remaines,
For horrour of the sight.
Witnesse his hands, with bleeding veines,
Of this great All which holds the raines,
His side pierc't through to purge thy staines,
Polluted sinfull wight.
Dayes beame, which all in clouds detaines,
The silver Moone, which pale remaines,
For horrour of the sight.
Witnesse his hands, with bleeding veines,
Of this great All which holds the raines,
His side pierc't through to purge thy staines,
Polluted sinfull wight.
167
Where shall thou then safe shelter finde
Soule, than the sightlesse Mole more blinde,
When with those straits extreame confynd,
Faint, pale, confusde thou stands?
By doome which cannot bee declinde,
Adjugde for euer to be pinde,
Where day nere dawnde, Sunne neuer shinde,
Mongst the infernall bands.
Soule, than the sightlesse Mole more blinde,
When with those straits extreame confynd,
Faint, pale, confusde thou stands?
By doome which cannot bee declinde,
Adjugde for euer to be pinde,
Where day nere dawnde, Sunne neuer shinde,
Mongst the infernall bands.
Where tears no truce, playnts find no place,
On either hand in desp'rate cace,
Behinde thee, who thy pathes did trace,
Attend thy woefull lote.
Before thee, flamms Earth's frame deface,
Aboue, an angrie Judge's face,
Below, Thee gaping to embrace,
Hell's sulphure-smoking throat.
On either hand in desp'rate cace,
Behinde thee, who thy pathes did trace,
Attend thy woefull lote.
Before thee, flamms Earth's frame deface,
Aboue, an angrie Judge's face,
Below, Thee gaping to embrace,
Hell's sulphure-smoking throat.
Thy feares shall be with cryes encrest
Of damned Soules, with anguish prest,
With greife, with horrour vnexprest,
Of due deserved ire.
The fyre-brands of a conscious brest,
Shall of thy terrours not be least,
While worms, which on thy conscience feast,
Thy ceaselesse paine conspire.
Of damned Soules, with anguish prest,
With greife, with horrour vnexprest,
Of due deserved ire.
The fyre-brands of a conscious brest,
Shall of thy terrours not be least,
While worms, which on thy conscience feast,
Thy ceaselesse paine conspire.
But when, (most like a thunder dart,)
That separating doome, Depart,
Pronounc'd, shall pierce thy panting heart,
With a most fearefull knell,
Which shall thee from God's presence part,
Exposde to torments that impart
Nor end of time, nor ease of smart,
While headlongs hurld in hell.
That separating doome, Depart,
Pronounc'd, shall pierce thy panting heart,
With a most fearefull knell,
Which shall thee from God's presence part,
Exposde to torments that impart
Nor end of time, nor ease of smart,
While headlongs hurld in hell.
168
Their shalt thou dive in depthes profound,
Still sinke but never meete a ground,
In waves still wrestling to bee drownd,
Deluded still by death;
Crying, where comfort none is found,
Pynde, where no pittie rage doth bound,
Thy Cup with floods of vengeance crownde,
Of the Almightie's wrath;
Still sinke but never meete a ground,
In waves still wrestling to bee drownd,
Deluded still by death;
Crying, where comfort none is found,
Pynde, where no pittie rage doth bound,
Thy Cup with floods of vengeance crownde,
Of the Almightie's wrath;
Bathde in a bottomlesse abisse,
Paine still encressing, ne're remisse,
Where scorpion's sting, where serpent's hisse,
Wormes, neuer satiate, gnaw;
Rackt, thinking what thou was, now is,
Deprivde for aye from hope of blisse,
For toyes, eternall joy didst misse,
Nor crub't by love, nor aw,
Paine still encressing, ne're remisse,
Where scorpion's sting, where serpent's hisse,
Wormes, neuer satiate, gnaw;
Rackt, thinking what thou was, now is,
Deprivde for aye from hope of blisse,
For toyes, eternall joy didst misse,
Nor crub't by love, nor aw,
No torments doth it selfe extend
Heere all the members to offend,
Which Vniversall griefe doth send,
Doth every part entrinch:
These paines, which reason's reach transcend,
On Soule and body doth descend,
No joynt, nerve, muscle, without end
But sev'rall plagues doe pinch.
Heere all the members to offend,
Which Vniversall griefe doth send,
Doth every part entrinch:
These paines, which reason's reach transcend,
On Soule and body doth descend,
No joynt, nerve, muscle, without end
But sev'rall plagues doe pinch.
Lascivious Eye, with objects light
Which earst did entertaine thy sight,
Weepe, there exylde in endlesse night,
Lockt vp in horride shads.
Nyce Eare, whose Organ earst did spight
All sounds, whence flowde no fals delight,
There, horrour ever and affright,
Thy curious sense vpbraids.
Which earst did entertaine thy sight,
Weepe, there exylde in endlesse night,
Lockt vp in horride shads.
Nyce Eare, whose Organ earst did spight
All sounds, whence flowde no fals delight,
There, horrour ever and affright,
Thy curious sense vpbraids.
169
Smell, earst with rare perfumes acquent,
Still interchangde to please thy sent,
For incense, sulphure, (there) doth vent,
Smoake for thy odoures sweet.
Taste, vnto which to breed content,
Rob't were the Earth, Sea, Firmament,
'Mongst soules which penurie torment,
There, famine Thee doth meete.
Still interchangde to please thy sent,
For incense, sulphure, (there) doth vent,
Smoake for thy odoures sweet.
Taste, vnto which to breed content,
Rob't were the Earth, Sea, Firmament,
'Mongst soules which penurie torment,
There, famine Thee doth meete.
Vile wormeling, Thou whose tender pride,
The weakest sunshine scarce couldst byde,
There, plungde in this impetuous tyde,
Must feele the force of fire.
Where damned soules on every syde,
Howling and roaring still abyde,
Which finde no shelter them to hyde
From this eternall ire.
The weakest sunshine scarce couldst byde,
There, plungde in this impetuous tyde,
Must feele the force of fire.
Where damned soules on every syde,
Howling and roaring still abyde,
Which finde no shelter them to hyde
From this eternall ire.
There, the Ambitious, who in skies
Did, (late,) on wax-joynde winges arise,
Of base contempt is made the pryse,
The Proudling pestred downe.
There Dives, who did earst despise
Of famisht soules the piercing cries,
Shall one cold drop of water pryse
Aboue a Monarche's crowne.
Did, (late,) on wax-joynde winges arise,
Of base contempt is made the pryse,
The Proudling pestred downe.
There Dives, who did earst despise
Of famisht soules the piercing cries,
Shall one cold drop of water pryse
Aboue a Monarche's crowne.
Loe! there the vile, licentious goate,
Whom lawlesse lust did earst besotte,
Enchainde in the embracements hotte
Of furious raging flames.
There, to the drunkard's parched throate,
Justice doth scrotching drought allote,
In floods of fire, which judgde to floate,
Still vaine refreshment claimes.
Whom lawlesse lust did earst besotte,
Enchainde in the embracements hotte
Of furious raging flames.
There, to the drunkard's parched throate,
Justice doth scrotching drought allote,
In floods of fire, which judgde to floate,
Still vaine refreshment claimes.
170
On covetous, on cruell wight,
Shall equall weight of vengeance light
With byting vsurie, with spight,
The poore ones who did presse.
So, to the remnant that did fight
'Gainst heauen's decrees, their conscience light,
God's wrath shall bee proportionde right,
By measure more or lesse.
Shall equall weight of vengeance light
With byting vsurie, with spight,
The poore ones who did presse.
So, to the remnant that did fight
'Gainst heauen's decrees, their conscience light,
God's wrath shall bee proportionde right,
By measure more or lesse.
Soule, which vnpittied ever playnes,
Heere, suff'ring for thy sins' foule staynes,
Flammes, lashing whips, rackes, fyrie chaynes,
Tormenting outward sense.
Of all, most terrible remaines,
Losse of God's face while thou sustaines,
O hell of hell! O paine of paines!
Still to be banisht thence.
Heere, suff'ring for thy sins' foule staynes,
Flammes, lashing whips, rackes, fyrie chaynes,
Tormenting outward sense.
Of all, most terrible remaines,
Losse of God's face while thou sustaines,
O hell of hell! O paine of paines!
Still to be banisht thence.
But when thou hast as many yeares
Those tortures felt, as shyne in sphears
Lights, fixed and straying, eyes haue teares,
Or waves the azure plaine,
No nearer are their end those feares,
Ever beginning which thou beares,
No change abates, no date outweares
Thy euer pinching paine.
Those tortures felt, as shyne in sphears
Lights, fixed and straying, eyes haue teares,
Or waves the azure plaine,
No nearer are their end those feares,
Ever beginning which thou beares,
No change abates, no date outweares
Thy euer pinching paine.
O dying life! O living death!
O stinging fyre, blowne by God's breath!
O boyling lake no ground which hath,
Destroying nought it burnes!
O overflowing flood of wrath,
Which damned soules are drencht beneath!
O pit profound! O woefull path
Whence Entrer ne're returnes!
O stinging fyre, blowne by God's breath!
O boyling lake no ground which hath,
Destroying nought it burnes!
O overflowing flood of wrath,
Which damned soules are drencht beneath!
O pit profound! O woefull path
Whence Entrer ne're returnes!
171
Sweet
Reconciler, Prince of peace,
Who pittying man's most wretched cace,
Didst hellish agonies embrace
In soule, in bodie shame,
Let mee in those extreames finde grace,
Illightned by thy glorious face,
Rank't 'mongst thy Saints, the elect race,
Whose wayes Thou didst proclaime!
Who pittying man's most wretched cace,
Didst hellish agonies embrace
In soule, in bodie shame,
Let mee in those extreames finde grace,
Illightned by thy glorious face,
Rank't 'mongst thy Saints, the elect race,
Whose wayes Thou didst proclaime!
O! Let me safe protection plead
Unto my soule, which full of dread,
Hanges ouer Hell by life's fraile threed,
Conservde but by thy might;
That when heauens, whence it did proceed,
Its separation haue decreed,
With Noah's Doue, Thou mayst it lead
There, whence it first tooke flight.
Unto my soule, which full of dread,
Hanges ouer Hell by life's fraile threed,
Conservde but by thy might;
That when heauens, whence it did proceed,
Its separation haue decreed,
With Noah's Doue, Thou mayst it lead
There, whence it first tooke flight.
Oh, how it longes on winges to rise,
(Secure from sin's contagious dyes,)
Endenizde citizen of skies
With Thee for aye to rest!
O, how it doth the Jayle despise,
In fleshes fetters it which tyes,
And lets it to enjoy the pryse,
With which thy Saints are blest!
(Secure from sin's contagious dyes,)
Endenizde citizen of skies
With Thee for aye to rest!
O, how it doth the Jayle despise,
In fleshes fetters it which tyes,
And lets it to enjoy the pryse,
With which thy Saints are blest!
For Thee I thirst, O living spring!
Pure source of life, who guides faith's wing,
By flight to reach the hyest thing,
To compasse things most hard.
When shalt Thou mee from danger bring
To Port of peace? my God! my King!
Blest giver, and the gifted thing?
Rewarder, and reward?
Pure source of life, who guides faith's wing,
By flight to reach the hyest thing,
To compasse things most hard.
When shalt Thou mee from danger bring
To Port of peace? my God! my King!
Blest giver, and the gifted thing?
Rewarder, and reward?
172
When shall I, from exile set free,
My native home, my country see?
When one immortal pineons flie?
That holy Citie reach,
Whose streets pure gold, gold buildings bee,
Walls, stones most precious beautifie,
Ports, solide Pearles, Guests neuer die,
Whose peace no paines empeach?
My native home, my country see?
When one immortal pineons flie?
That holy Citie reach,
Whose streets pure gold, gold buildings bee,
Walls, stones most precious beautifie,
Ports, solide Pearles, Guests neuer die,
Whose peace no paines empeach?
Eternall spring, (shrill Winter gone,)
This climate constant makes alone,
Nor flamming heate, nor frozen Zone
Distemper heere doe breed.
From Lambe's sweet breath, on glorie's throne
Enstalde, are balmie odours throwne,
Time hath no turnes, heere change is none,
No seasons doe succeed.
This climate constant makes alone,
Nor flamming heate, nor frozen Zone
Distemper heere doe breed.
From Lambe's sweet breath, on glorie's throne
Enstalde, are balmie odours throwne,
Time hath no turnes, heere change is none,
No seasons doe succeed.
Pale envy, emulation, spight,
Nor death, nor danger heere affright,
Heere hopes, nor feares, nor false delight,
In sublunarie toyes.
No Lampe dartes foorth alternat light,
The Lambe's sweet face here shines ay bright,
Which of the Saints doth blesse the sight,
Who doe in him rejoyse.
Nor death, nor danger heere affright,
Heere hopes, nor feares, nor false delight,
In sublunarie toyes.
No Lampe dartes foorth alternat light,
The Lambe's sweet face here shines ay bright,
Which of the Saints doth blesse the sight,
Who doe in him rejoyse.
Heere simple beautie scorneth Arte,
Rose-cheeked youth, old age's dart,
Joye's perpetuitie impart,
No warre disturbs this peace.
O! this God's Palace royall arte,
Preparde in these, with all desart,
For all that vpright are in heart,
Ere light did paynt heaven's face.
Rose-cheeked youth, old age's dart,
Joye's perpetuitie impart,
No warre disturbs this peace.
O! this God's Palace royall arte,
Preparde in these, with all desart,
For all that vpright are in heart,
Ere light did paynt heaven's face.
173
Thou, by whose pow're the spheares are rold,
Earth's hanging orbe who dost vphold,
Great Architect, King vncontrold,
Lord of this Universe,
Enstalde heere on a Throne of gold,
Dost diamantine scepter hold,
Givest Lawes to earth, hence dost behold
How wights below converse!
Earth's hanging orbe who dost vphold,
Great Architect, King vncontrold,
Lord of this Universe,
Enstalde heere on a Throne of gold,
Dost diamantine scepter hold,
Givest Lawes to earth, hence dost behold
How wights below converse!
If heere, such eye-enchaunting sights,
Amazing beauties, choise delights,
This Mansion low, of dying wights,
Earth's brittle orbe adorne,
What wonders then, what glorious lights,
Must beautifie those reachlesse hights,
Thy blest aboade, which daye's, which night's
Vicissitude doth scorne?
Amazing beauties, choise delights,
This Mansion low, of dying wights,
Earth's brittle orbe adorne,
What wonders then, what glorious lights,
Must beautifie those reachlesse hights,
Thy blest aboade, which daye's, which night's
Vicissitude doth scorne?
If these such admiration breed,
What Thou, who did'st heauen's Curtain spread,
Earth stayde midst aire, that it doth neede
Its weight nought to sustaine,
Who full of Majestie and dread,
Of intellectuall pow'rs dost plead
Attendance, on thy face which feede?
O ever blessed traine!
What Thou, who did'st heauen's Curtain spread,
Earth stayde midst aire, that it doth neede
Its weight nought to sustaine,
Who full of Majestie and dread,
Of intellectuall pow'rs dost plead
Attendance, on thy face which feede?
O ever blessed traine!
Archangels, Angels, clothde with might,
Thrones, Cherubs, Seraphins of light,
Princes and Powers all shining bright,
Dominions, vertues pure,
With beames that sparkle from the sight,
Inflamde, which flie no other flight,
But satiat rest, rapt with delight,
Which doth for aye endure!
Thrones, Cherubs, Seraphins of light,
Princes and Powers all shining bright,
Dominions, vertues pure,
With beames that sparkle from the sight,
Inflamde, which flie no other flight,
But satiat rest, rapt with delight,
Which doth for aye endure!
174
O sweet societie! how blest
They, who these orders haue encreast,
From labour free, in peace who rest,
Surpassing humane sense?
Where blesse, where glory doth invest
Apostles, Martyres and the rest
Of holy Saints, with tortures prest
To death, in Trueth's defence.
They, who these orders haue encreast,
From labour free, in peace who rest,
Surpassing humane sense?
Where blesse, where glory doth invest
Apostles, Martyres and the rest
Of holy Saints, with tortures prest
To death, in Trueth's defence.
The Patriarchs, Prophets, Lights divine,
(Cleare starres on earth,) bright suns here shine.
Heere all the elect hoast, deathe's line
Which yet haue ouerpast.
Jncorp'rat in their Head, incline
One way, Joyes common all combine,
This band no discord can vntwine,
Loue doth eternall last.
(Cleare starres on earth,) bright suns here shine.
Heere all the elect hoast, deathe's line
Which yet haue ouerpast.
Jncorp'rat in their Head, incline
One way, Joyes common all combine,
This band no discord can vntwine,
Loue doth eternall last.
Of glorie 'mongst these bands elect
Degrees there are, but no defect,
Full vessells all, none can expect
More than the lest containes.
Man's heart no pleasure can project,
But greater doth from hence reflect,
One cause in all workes one effect,
Of measure none complaines.
Degrees there are, but no defect,
Full vessells all, none can expect
More than the lest containes.
Man's heart no pleasure can project,
But greater doth from hence reflect,
One cause in all workes one effect,
Of measure none complaines.
O Joyes! my drossie sprite which wing
Upwards, aboue the spheares to spring,
(Time's Father) where thy praises ring,
Which Saints, which Angels raise:
Where all around Thee in a ring,
Heau'ns hoasts high Allelujahs sing,
O heavenly consort! Blessed King!
Blest people, Thee who praise!
Upwards, aboue the spheares to spring,
(Time's Father) where thy praises ring,
Which Saints, which Angels raise:
Where all around Thee in a ring,
Heau'ns hoasts high Allelujahs sing,
O heavenly consort! Blessed King!
Blest people, Thee who praise!
175
No woefull earth-confined wight,
With owlish eyes can view this light,
The meake horizon of Man's sight,
Farre, farre which doth outreach.
This vnexpressible delight,
Doth reason's dazelde eye benight,
What I cannot conceiue aright,
Lord, let experience teach!
With owlish eyes can view this light,
The meake horizon of Man's sight,
Farre, farre which doth outreach.
This vnexpressible delight,
Doth reason's dazelde eye benight,
What I cannot conceiue aright,
Lord, let experience teach!
Give mee, that in some measure small
(While fleshe's bands my sprite enthrall)
J may, a farre, a glance let fall,
At these contentments poynt,
These termlesse Joyes which, (one day,) shall
In honny turne Saints' bitter gall,
From guilt, when flamms shall purge this Ball,
This Engine hudge disjoynt.
(While fleshe's bands my sprite enthrall)
J may, a farre, a glance let fall,
At these contentments poynt,
These termlesse Joyes which, (one day,) shall
In honny turne Saints' bitter gall,
From guilt, when flamms shall purge this Ball,
This Engine hudge disjoynt.
When the Arch-angel's voice shall raise
The graues pale guests, the World amaze,
Around all burning in a blaze,
Suffring for man's offence,
What Joyes, then, sleeping Saints shall seaze,
How much this long-longde sight them please,
This sight, death's fetters which shall ease,
All passed cares compense?
The graues pale guests, the World amaze,
Around all burning in a blaze,
Suffring for man's offence,
What Joyes, then, sleeping Saints shall seaze,
How much this long-longde sight them please,
This sight, death's fetters which shall ease,
All passed cares compense?
O what a happie houre! how deare,
How glorious shall this day appeare
To thee my Soule, when fred from feare,
Grimme death thou darst outface?
When, (thy redemption drawing neare,)
Life's toyles shall trophees to Thee reare,
Which cank'ring Tyme shall ne'er outweare,
Nor foes' despight deface.
How glorious shall this day appeare
To thee my Soule, when fred from feare,
Grimme death thou darst outface?
When, (thy redemption drawing neare,)
Life's toyles shall trophees to Thee reare,
Which cank'ring Tyme shall ne'er outweare,
Nor foes' despight deface.
176
Though tyrants haue, by doome vnjust,
In furious flammes thy carcase thrust,
Not daigning It to earth to trust
With honour of a graue.
No Atome of thy scattered dust
But see this solemne Meeting must,
Purgde from corruption, from rust
Of sinne did It depraue;
In furious flammes thy carcase thrust,
Not daigning It to earth to trust
With honour of a graue.
No Atome of thy scattered dust
But see this solemne Meeting must,
Purgde from corruption, from rust
Of sinne did It depraue;
Thy shape renewde, more glorious made
Than when it entred deathes darke shade,
Raisde by his viuifying aide,
Death's powres who did controule;
With flesh adornde, which ne're shall fade,
Nor rotte, in earthe's cold bosome laide,
But liue for aye, the Mansion glade
Of a Triumphing soule.
Than when it entred deathes darke shade,
Raisde by his viuifying aide,
Death's powres who did controule;
With flesh adornde, which ne're shall fade,
Nor rotte, in earthe's cold bosome laide,
But liue for aye, the Mansion glade
Of a Triumphing soule.
No beautie nature brought to light
Did ravish most amazed sight,
Which, as farre short from day as night
From This, shall not be found,
Which shall adorne each new-borne wight,
Co-partner of this hid delight,
The lame shall leape, proportionde right,
The dumbe God's praises sound,
Did ravish most amazed sight,
Which, as farre short from day as night
From This, shall not be found,
Which shall adorne each new-borne wight,
Co-partner of this hid delight,
The lame shall leape, proportionde right,
The dumbe God's praises sound,
Caught vp, when on immortall wings,
To aire this stage which ouerhings,
To meete thy Head, the Saints who brings
To judge the damned traine.
(Saints, earst accounted abject things,
Objects of scorne, weake underlings,
On thrones enstalde, now sceptred kings
Eternally who reigne.)
To aire this stage which ouerhings,
To meete thy Head, the Saints who brings
To judge the damned traine.
(Saints, earst accounted abject things,
Objects of scorne, weake underlings,
On thrones enstalde, now sceptred kings
Eternally who reigne.)
177
What bands enclustred thee around,
Shall make the Heauens with hymnes rebound,
That Thou, a straggling sheepe, art found,
Their numbers to encrease?
If they did such applauses sound
At thy conversion, how profound
Shall be their Joyes to see thee crownd,
With them to acquiesse?
Shall make the Heauens with hymnes rebound,
That Thou, a straggling sheepe, art found,
Their numbers to encrease?
If they did such applauses sound
At thy conversion, how profound
Shall be their Joyes to see thee crownd,
With them to acquiesse?
As pansiue Pilgrime, sore distrest,
Wearie and weake, with famine prest,
Whom feare of Robbers doth infest,
Straying alone, in need,
If Hee, while dreaming least of rest,
Should in an instant bee addrest,
Where hee might live for ever blest,
How should his Joyes exceed?
Wearie and weake, with famine prest,
Whom feare of Robbers doth infest,
Straying alone, in need,
If Hee, while dreaming least of rest,
Should in an instant bee addrest,
Where hee might live for ever blest,
How should his Joyes exceed?
Even so my Soule, (now on the way,)
Too easily seduc't astray,
When Thou shalt find this solide stay,
This Center of repose,
How shall the pleasures of this day,
Adorning Thee with rich array,
Thy suffred labours all delay,
Afflictions all compose?
Too easily seduc't astray,
When Thou shalt find this solide stay,
This Center of repose,
How shall the pleasures of this day,
Adorning Thee with rich array,
Thy suffred labours all delay,
Afflictions all compose?
What boundlesse Ocean of delight
Shall quench all paines, all passed plight,
Endured wrongs, digested spight
Of tyrannizing pride,
By Angels, Messengers of light,
When brought in thy Redeemer's sight,
Set free from deathe's eternall night,
Adjudg't, in blesse to byde?
Shall quench all paines, all passed plight,
Endured wrongs, digested spight
Of tyrannizing pride,
By Angels, Messengers of light,
When brought in thy Redeemer's sight,
Set free from deathe's eternall night,
Adjudg't, in blesse to byde?
178
When large Memorials shall record
The meanest good thou didst afford,
To poore, to sicke: when deed, nor word,
Shall want the owne rewarde?
The Judge, thy Advocate, thy Lord,
Who now absolues, Thee, first restorde:
O bond! O double-twisted cord!
O vndeserved regard!
The meanest good thou didst afford,
To poore, to sicke: when deed, nor word,
Shall want the owne rewarde?
The Judge, thy Advocate, thy Lord,
Who now absolues, Thee, first restorde:
O bond! O double-twisted cord!
O vndeserved regard!
But O! when Thou casts back thine eyes,
Thy voyage dangerous espyes,
Foes and ambushments, laide to surprise
Thy wayes, when thou dost vieu;
The traines set foorth Thee to entise,
Base pleasures, which Thou didst despise,
What boundlesse joyes shall thence arise,
What Solace sweet ensue?
Thy voyage dangerous espyes,
Foes and ambushments, laide to surprise
Thy wayes, when thou dost vieu;
The traines set foorth Thee to entise,
Base pleasures, which Thou didst despise,
What boundlesse joyes shall thence arise,
What Solace sweet ensue?
What strange applauses thence shall spring,
When Saints doe shout, when Angels sing,
When Heauen's hie vaults loud Ecchos ring,
Of that Absoluing voyce?
Come yee, whose faith did vpwards spring,
Contempt who on the World did fling,
Blest of that great Sky-ruling King,
Enter in endlesse Ioyes.
When Saints doe shout, when Angels sing,
When Heauen's hie vaults loud Ecchos ring,
Of that Absoluing voyce?
Come yee, whose faith did vpwards spring,
Contempt who on the World did fling,
Blest of that great Sky-ruling King,
Enter in endlesse Ioyes.
O Joyes, with these as farre vn-even,
To Man which to conceiue are given,
As loftiest of the Planets seven
Earth's Center doth transcend!
(By wit, who prease to pry in heauen,
Backe by a Cherubin is driven,)
Man's Reason is a vessell riven,
Can litle comprehend.
To Man which to conceiue are given,
As loftiest of the Planets seven
Earth's Center doth transcend!
(By wit, who prease to pry in heauen,
Backe by a Cherubin is driven,)
Man's Reason is a vessell riven,
Can litle comprehend.
179
O Joyes, as much bedazling sight,
As day's bright Beam the weakest light,
Aboue small Gnats as Eagles' flight
Amidst the Clouds ensphearde!
Ioyes, as farre passing all delight
Yet euer heard by humane wight,
As ghastly screiches of Owles which fright,
With Larks' sweet layes comparde!
As day's bright Beam the weakest light,
Aboue small Gnats as Eagles' flight
Amidst the Clouds ensphearde!
Ioyes, as farre passing all delight
Yet euer heard by humane wight,
As ghastly screiches of Owles which fright,
With Larks' sweet layes comparde!
These boundlesse Joyes, this endlese peace,
In this claims principally place,
To see God clearely, face to face,
Him, as He is, to view.
(Not heere, as doth fraile Adam's race,
Who through a glasse this sight embrace,
And steps of things created trace,
To reach these pleasures trew.)
In this claims principally place,
To see God clearely, face to face,
Him, as He is, to view.
(Not heere, as doth fraile Adam's race,
Who through a glasse this sight embrace,
And steps of things created trace,
To reach these pleasures trew.)
With Judgement pure, to know, as knowne,
These Persons three, in essence One,
God varying in names alone,
Father, Sonne, holy Ghost.
To know why Man, to lewdnesse prone,
(Angels o'repast) God did repone
In state of grace, why mercy showne
To some while damnde are Most.
These Persons three, in essence One,
God varying in names alone,
Father, Sonne, holy Ghost.
To know why Man, to lewdnesse prone,
(Angels o'repast) God did repone
In state of grace, why mercy showne
To some while damnde are Most.
Which Joyes, on all the Saints elect,
On Soules and bodies both reflect,
By ravishing the Intellect,
The Memory and Will;
Which all the Senses doe affect,
With pleasures farre aboue defect,
Who can the rich contents detect,
Those blessed Bands which fill?
On Soules and bodies both reflect,
By ravishing the Intellect,
The Memory and Will;
Which all the Senses doe affect,
With pleasures farre aboue defect,
Who can the rich contents detect,
Those blessed Bands which fill?
180
How more perspectiue, pure and free,
(Sequestred from mortalitie,)
The Understanding facultie,
How prompter it perceiues!
How more sublime the Object bee,
The Union inward and more nie:
Joyes of a more supreme degrie
The Intellect conceaues!
(Sequestred from mortalitie,)
The Understanding facultie,
How prompter it perceiues!
How more sublime the Object bee,
The Union inward and more nie:
Joyes of a more supreme degrie
The Intellect conceaues!
Here charg'd with chains of flesh and bloode,
We apprehend by Organs roode,
The drossie mindes of Earth's weake broode
Imaginde knowledge swells:
There, bathing in a boundlesse floode
Of blesse, we shall, (as sprites which stoode)
Know, (vnpuft vp) our Soueraigne goode,
In him, all creatures els.
We apprehend by Organs roode,
The drossie mindes of Earth's weake broode
Imaginde knowledge swells:
There, bathing in a boundlesse floode
Of blesse, we shall, (as sprites which stoode)
Know, (vnpuft vp) our Soueraigne goode,
In him, all creatures els.
What object can, in greatnesse, hight,
In glorie, majestie, in might,
This paralell, whence all delight,
All pleasure only springs?
With rayes of vncreated light
Which cherish, not offend the sight,
Who shines most blest, for euer bright,
Eternall King of Kings.
In glorie, majestie, in might,
This paralell, whence all delight,
All pleasure only springs?
With rayes of vncreated light
Which cherish, not offend the sight,
Who shines most blest, for euer bright,
Eternall King of Kings.
What Union can so strict bee found,
So firme, successionlesse, profound?
Man's deepest speculation drown'd
Is in this vast abisse.
This gulfe, this Ocean without ground,
The ravisht minde doth wholly bound,
It drencht heerein, with glorie crownd,
Bathes in a Sea of blesse.
So firme, successionlesse, profound?
Man's deepest speculation drown'd
Is in this vast abisse.
This gulfe, this Ocean without ground,
The ravisht minde doth wholly bound,
It drencht heerein, with glorie crownd,
Bathes in a Sea of blesse.
181
If charming sounds, ensnaring sights,
In mindes of wonder-strucken wights,
Doe moue such violent delights
As passe the bounds of speach,
The Joyes then midst these reachlesse hights,
Ay bright with euer-burning lights,
Must farre transcend the loftiest flights,
Wits most profound can reach.
In mindes of wonder-strucken wights,
Doe moue such violent delights
As passe the bounds of speach,
The Joyes then midst these reachlesse hights,
Ay bright with euer-burning lights,
Must farre transcend the loftiest flights,
Wits most profound can reach.
The fluide Joyes which here entise,
From things corruptible arise,
No Union, but externall, ties
The sense and object fraile.
How should wee then these pleasures prise,
Which euer laste aboue the skies?
This Union strict all change defies,
This bonde can neuer faile.
From things corruptible arise,
No Union, but externall, ties
The sense and object fraile.
How should wee then these pleasures prise,
Which euer laste aboue the skies?
This Union strict all change defies,
This bonde can neuer faile.
What superexcellent degrees
Of Ioy, the Intellect shall seaze,
When It, with cleare, vnsyled eyes,
The speces, natures, strength,
Of beastes, of birds, of stones, of trees,
Of hearbes, the hid proprieties,
Th' essentiall differences sees
Of Creatures all at length?
Of Ioy, the Intellect shall seaze,
When It, with cleare, vnsyled eyes,
The speces, natures, strength,
Of beastes, of birds, of stones, of trees,
Of hearbes, the hid proprieties,
Th' essentiall differences sees
Of Creatures all at length?
Of Ioy, what ouerflowing spaite,
Inunding this Theater great,
Drench with delight shall euery state
Here marshalled above?
Till now, euen from the World's first date,
When Saints secure from sin's deceate,
Their Palmes, their Crownes receiue, who late
Earth's vtmost spight did prove.
Inunding this Theater great,
Drench with delight shall euery state
Here marshalled above?
Till now, euen from the World's first date,
When Saints secure from sin's deceate,
Their Palmes, their Crownes receiue, who late
Earth's vtmost spight did prove.
182
Nor shall the knowledge of the paine,
The torments which the damn'd sustain,
The cryms which earst their soules did staine,
Impare these joyes divine!
These blacke Characters show most plaine
God's justice, their deserved bane,
The brightnesse of the blessed traine
Opposde, now cleare doth shine.
The torments which the damn'd sustain,
The cryms which earst their soules did staine,
Impare these joyes divine!
These blacke Characters show most plaine
God's justice, their deserved bane,
The brightnesse of the blessed traine
Opposde, now cleare doth shine.
Their Vengeance shall the Just rejoyse,
(Heaven's blesse comparde with hel's annoyes,)
As earst by regal Prophet's voice,
Divinely was fore-told.
Saintes should, incompassed with Joys,
Bathe in their blood, whom death destroyes,
Happie, who so his life employes
'Mongst Saints to bee enrold.
(Heaven's blesse comparde with hel's annoyes,)
As earst by regal Prophet's voice,
Divinely was fore-told.
Saintes should, incompassed with Joys,
Bathe in their blood, whom death destroyes,
Happie, who so his life employes
'Mongst Saints to bee enrold.
Heere oft, (with wonder rapt) wee find,
The punishment with vertuous minde,
The fault with the rewarde combinde,
At which the Just repines.
There, fault with punishment confinde,
Rewarde, to vertuously inclinde,
Eternall justice vndeclinde,
Impartially assignes.
The punishment with vertuous minde,
The fault with the rewarde combinde,
At which the Just repines.
There, fault with punishment confinde,
Rewarde, to vertuously inclinde,
Eternall justice vndeclinde,
Impartially assignes.
As these and more joyes vnexprest,
The Understanding doe invest,
As in the Center of its rest,
So heere, the Will doth pause
In peace, which cannot bee encrest,
Not wrestling passions to digest;
O calme tranquillitie! how blest
They whom this loadstone drawes.
The Understanding doe invest,
As in the Center of its rest,
So heere, the Will doth pause
In peace, which cannot bee encrest,
Not wrestling passions to digest;
O calme tranquillitie! how blest
They whom this loadstone drawes.
183
Hence spring such ardent flammes of loue
To God, to all the Saints aboue,
That not one ioy these hoasts do proue
Which It doe not delight.
Hence It no fewer joyes doe moue,
Then God, Co-partners doth approue,
Joyes infinite, which ne're remoue,
Nor weakned are by slight.
To God, to all the Saints aboue,
That not one ioy these hoasts do proue
Which It doe not delight.
Hence It no fewer joyes doe moue,
Then God, Co-partners doth approue,
Joyes infinite, which ne're remoue,
Nor weakned are by slight.
As soules, which horride shads enchaine,
This doe not feele their meanest paine,
With mates most hated to remaine
For ay, by just decreite:
How happie then, this glorious traine,
With these eternally to raigne,
Who mutuall loue doe entertaine,
Insep'rable vnite!
This doe not feele their meanest paine,
With mates most hated to remaine
For ay, by just decreite:
How happie then, this glorious traine,
With these eternally to raigne,
Who mutuall loue doe entertaine,
Insep'rable vnite!
From thence a quiet, calme Content,
A sympathizing sweet concent,
Satietie, which vnacquent
With loathing, doth arise.
Man heere in earth's ignoble tent,
Desires vnbounded still torment,
The more hee hath, the more is bent,
Things fading to comprise.
A sympathizing sweet concent,
Satietie, which vnacquent
With loathing, doth arise.
Man heere in earth's ignoble tent,
Desires vnbounded still torment,
The more hee hath, the more is bent,
Things fading to comprise.
O soule! which life doth heere expose
To inward feares, to outward foes,
Deluded by deceaving shows,
With shads of seeming blesse,
When with content thy Cup oreflows,
When hopes nor vast desires thou knowes,
How deare shall bee this sweet repose
Which aye beginning is!
To inward feares, to outward foes,
Deluded by deceaving shows,
With shads of seeming blesse,
When with content thy Cup oreflows,
When hopes nor vast desires thou knowes,
How deare shall bee this sweet repose
Which aye beginning is!
184
O Peace! on which all hap depends,
Man's vnderstanding which transcends,
To Thee alone our labour tends,
Our Pilgrimage aspires.
Happie in Thee his life who spends,
In Joy, in peace which never ends,
To present Toyles which solace sends,
Encentring our desires.
Man's vnderstanding which transcends,
To Thee alone our labour tends,
Our Pilgrimage aspires.
Happie in Thee his life who spends,
In Joy, in peace which never ends,
To present Toyles which solace sends,
Encentring our desires.
By perfect Justice, what excesse
Of Joy shall to the Will accresse,
Out-shining Adam's righteousnesse
In innocent estate?
(But O! this Joy who can expresse?
Not tongues of angels, Man's much lesse,
O ravisht Soule! heere acquiesse,
Drencht in this Ocean great.)
Of Joy shall to the Will accresse,
Out-shining Adam's righteousnesse
In innocent estate?
(But O! this Joy who can expresse?
Not tongues of angels, Man's much lesse,
O ravisht Soule! heere acquiesse,
Drencht in this Ocean great.)
His Reason, Adam's sense and will
Did serve this God; but changeable
Was this submission; now, but still
All doe themselves subject
To God; by bonde most durable,
Fearing no fall, secure from ill,
Rendring the soule most am'able
To God, selfe, Saints elect.
Did serve this God; but changeable
Was this submission; now, but still
All doe themselves subject
To God; by bonde most durable,
Fearing no fall, secure from ill,
Rendring the soule most am'able
To God, selfe, Saints elect.
O soule dejected, plungde in feare,
Which stinging thoughts, mind's horrors teare,
Thy wounded sprite who canst not beare,
With inward terrours torne!
O how invaluable, how deare,
Would this integritie sincere
To Thee, (in conscience rackt) appeare,
Which doth the saints adorne!
Which stinging thoughts, mind's horrors teare,
Thy wounded sprite who canst not beare,
With inward terrours torne!
O how invaluable, how deare,
Would this integritie sincere
To Thee, (in conscience rackt) appeare,
Which doth the saints adorne!
185
This innocence which doth exclude
All spots, polluting earth's fraile broode,
Pure, vndistainde, perfectly good,
Free from least sinfull thought:
Saintes aye refreshing with that food
Of God's wingde messengers, which stood
Confirmde in grace by purple floode,
Which Man's redemption wrought.
All spots, polluting earth's fraile broode,
Pure, vndistainde, perfectly good,
Free from least sinfull thought:
Saintes aye refreshing with that food
Of God's wingde messengers, which stood
Confirmde in grace by purple floode,
Which Man's redemption wrought.
Nor shall lesse measure of content
To Memory of Saints present,
How life's small period heere was spent,
Encompassed with cares.
From warres most pittifull event
If settled, sweetest peace is spent,
The Soule, which earst did most lament,
Joyes most, now fred of teares.
To Memory of Saints present,
How life's small period heere was spent,
Encompassed with cares.
From warres most pittifull event
If settled, sweetest peace is spent,
The Soule, which earst did most lament,
Joyes most, now fred of teares.
Of passed fight the doubtsome [fate]
The souldier doth with joye relate.
The sea-tosde wight, in dangers great,
If gone, most pleasure finds.
Past miseries inunding spaite
Most sweetens Saint's triumphing state,
Foes spoyles, which no invasion threat,
Lesse ravish noble Minds.
The souldier doth with joye relate.
The sea-tosde wight, in dangers great,
If gone, most pleasure finds.
Past miseries inunding spaite
Most sweetens Saint's triumphing state,
Foes spoyles, which no invasion threat,
Lesse ravish noble Minds.
From passions fred, for happiest lote
Their purest parts which did bespotte,
Strugling, as exhalations hote
In humide clouds inclosde;
From flight of dartes, the World foorth shot,
(Entisements which the best besotte,)
While these in their remembrance float,
How much are they rejoysde?
Their purest parts which did bespotte,
Strugling, as exhalations hote
In humide clouds inclosde;
From flight of dartes, the World foorth shot,
(Entisements which the best besotte,)
While these in their remembrance float,
How much are they rejoysde?
186
Revoluing in this calmest peace,
How God, by his preventing grace,
Our steps restrainde, whilst we did trace
The tempting paths of death;
Of monstruous Sinnes in hottest chace,
How Hee in loue did us embrace;
In this to joye, Saints ne'ere shall cease,
While they in blesse doe breath.
How God, by his preventing grace,
Our steps restrainde, whilst we did trace
The tempting paths of death;
Of monstruous Sinnes in hottest chace,
How Hee in loue did us embrace;
In this to joye, Saints ne'ere shall cease,
While they in blesse doe breath.
The long vicissitude of years,
Of Times, the Memory endeares,
Since World's first Age, aboue the spheares,
Of blest celestiall bands.
Which, while this Companie admires,
Cause of these changes, cleare appeares
In Prouidence large book, which beares
Records of Seas, of Lands.
Of Times, the Memory endeares,
Since World's first Age, aboue the spheares,
Of blest celestiall bands.
Which, while this Companie admires,
Cause of these changes, cleare appeares
In Prouidence large book, which beares
Records of Seas, of Lands.
In this great Volumne read they shall
Why Angels first, first Man did fall,
Why God did this, nor These recall,
Of his eternall grace.
Why Hee did Abram's seede enstall,
Peculiar most of nations all,
And why to, Gentiles, these made thrall,
Were planted in their place.
Why Angels first, first Man did fall,
Why God did this, nor These recall,
Of his eternall grace.
Why Hee did Abram's seede enstall,
Peculiar most of nations all,
And why to, Gentiles, these made thrall,
Were planted in their place.
In these great Archives scrold is found
Why dearest Saints are trode to ground
By Tyrant's pryde, to which no bound
Oft is below assignde.
To wit, more glorious to bee crown'd,
As their affection did abound,
Joyes may proportionall redound,
As crosses them confinde.
Why dearest Saints are trode to ground
By Tyrant's pryde, to which no bound
Oft is below assignde.
To wit, more glorious to bee crown'd,
As their affection did abound,
Joyes may proportionall redound,
As crosses them confinde.
187
Nor shall the Bodie, now all bright,
The fellow souldier of the spright,
Bee frustrat of these Joyes, by right
Of its redemption due.
Of all, the noblest sense, the sight
Impassible, not harmde by light,
Aboue all measure shall delight,
Amazde with wonders new.
The fellow souldier of the spright,
Bee frustrat of these Joyes, by right
Of its redemption due.
Of all, the noblest sense, the sight
Impassible, not harmde by light,
Aboue all measure shall delight,
Amazde with wonders new.
How shall the ravisht Eye admire
When Suns past number doe appeare?
Dark'ning that sparke, our hemispheare,
Which cleeres with chearefull rayes?
On all hands, Nought, when farre and neare,
Encounters sight but objects cleare,
Blest Empyrean bands, which weare
Crowns, Palmes, immortall bayes?
When Suns past number doe appeare?
Dark'ning that sparke, our hemispheare,
Which cleeres with chearefull rayes?
On all hands, Nought, when farre and neare,
Encounters sight but objects cleare,
Blest Empyrean bands, which weare
Crowns, Palmes, immortall bayes?
How shall this Beautie vs amaze?
How on this glorie shall wee gaze?
How on our bodies, which doe blaze
With brightest beames of light?
Our bodies, which ere death did seaze,
(Death, which no prayers can appease)
Most loathsome burthens were to these
Whom most they now delight.
How on this glorie shall wee gaze?
How on our bodies, which doe blaze
With brightest beames of light?
Our bodies, which ere death did seaze,
(Death, which no prayers can appease)
Most loathsome burthens were to these
Whom most they now delight.
What breast can bound this joye's full spaite,
To see falne Angels' chayrs of state
Filde with our friends, familiars late,
Love long dissolvde, renewde?
To see, to know, (O wonder great!)
Saints all, all times did heere relate,
Since Abel's blood, (a long long date,)
His brother's hands imbrued?
To see falne Angels' chayrs of state
Filde with our friends, familiars late,
Love long dissolvde, renewde?
To see, to know, (O wonder great!)
Saints all, all times did heere relate,
Since Abel's blood, (a long long date,)
His brother's hands imbrued?
188
By force of flammes which all subdue,
When broght to nought this world's false shew,
Of Heauen, of earth, the fabricke new
What wonders shall afford?
Things which before wee never knew,
Charming our euer-gazing view,
With pleasures endlesse, perfect, true,
Which tongue cannot record.
When broght to nought this world's false shew,
Of Heauen, of earth, the fabricke new
What wonders shall afford?
Things which before wee never knew,
Charming our euer-gazing view,
With pleasures endlesse, perfect, true,
Which tongue cannot record.
But none of all these objects rare,
Can with thy sight, O Christ, compare.
Fulnesse of Joy reflecteth there
On these at thy right hand.
In Righteousnesse thy face preclare
Who viewing satisfied are,
For which a place Thou didst prepare
Before Thy throne to stand.
Can with thy sight, O Christ, compare.
Fulnesse of Joy reflecteth there
On these at thy right hand.
In Righteousnesse thy face preclare
Who viewing satisfied are,
For which a place Thou didst prepare
Before Thy throne to stand.
If that great Herauld of Heaun's King,
Record of Thee sent foorth to bring,
For Joy, did in thy presence spring,
An Embrion yet vnborne.
If yet a babe, thy sight benigne
So Simeon's soule with joy did sting,
That hee his Obsequies did sing,
With age and weaknesse worne.
Record of Thee sent foorth to bring,
For Joy, did in thy presence spring,
An Embrion yet vnborne.
If yet a babe, thy sight benigne
So Simeon's soule with joy did sting,
That hee his Obsequies did sing,
With age and weaknesse worne.
If Easterne Sages spar'de no paine,
By Pilgrims' toyles, thy sight to gaine,
An infant, borne but to bee slaine,
In manger meanlie laide;
What soule then can these joyes containe
Which shall arise to see Thy raigne,
The glory of thy heauenlie traine,
Whose pompe shall never fade?
By Pilgrims' toyles, thy sight to gaine,
An infant, borne but to bee slaine,
In manger meanlie laide;
What soule then can these joyes containe
Which shall arise to see Thy raigne,
The glory of thy heauenlie traine,
Whose pompe shall never fade?
189
But O! (Mee thinkes) of heavenly layes
A consort sweet my sense betrayes,
By organs of mine Eare, allayes
All mind-remording cares.
Aboue time, motion, place, which raise
My ravisht thoughts, to heare his praise
Proclaimde which heauen's blest hosts amaze,
By notes of Angels' ayres.
A consort sweet my sense betrayes,
By organs of mine Eare, allayes
All mind-remording cares.
Aboue time, motion, place, which raise
My ravisht thoughts, to heare his praise
Proclaimde which heauen's blest hosts amaze,
By notes of Angels' ayres.
O harmony transcending Arte!
Of which the hopes ease present smart;
Thrise happie they who beare a part
In this cœlestiall Quire.
O blest Musitians most expert,
Whose Ditties all delight impart,
Whose hymnes exhilarate the heart,
And entertaine the Eare!
Of which the hopes ease present smart;
Thrise happie they who beare a part
In this cœlestiall Quire.
O blest Musitians most expert,
Whose Ditties all delight impart,
Whose hymnes exhilarate the heart,
And entertaine the Eare!
Of Ambrosie, of Nectar, streames,
(Heaven's dainties hid in heathnish names,)
An endlesse feast the Lambe proclaimes,
To all the Saints above.
The Saints refresht more with his beames
Then worldlings with vaine pleasures dreams,
O how desiderable seemes
To Thine, this feast of Love!
(Heaven's dainties hid in heathnish names,)
An endlesse feast the Lambe proclaimes,
To all the Saints above.
The Saints refresht more with his beames
Then worldlings with vaine pleasures dreams,
O how desiderable seemes
To Thine, this feast of Love!
If beggars vile themselves hold grac't,
At tables of great Kings to feast,
With curious cates to please their taste,
With choise of rarest things:
O! what a heavenly sweet repast
Doe Saints enjoy, which aye shall last,
Who at immortall Tables plac't,
Feast with the King of Kings.
At tables of great Kings to feast,
With curious cates to please their taste,
With choise of rarest things:
O! what a heavenly sweet repast
Doe Saints enjoy, which aye shall last,
Who at immortall Tables plac't,
Feast with the King of Kings.
190
Of all these Millions which frequent
This Paradise of sweet content,
Perfumes most rare refresh the sent,
From a perpetuall spring.
Comforting oynments odours vent,
Sweet'ning the heauens' transparent tent,
Which flow from him his blood who spent
His to blesse to bring.
This Paradise of sweet content,
Perfumes most rare refresh the sent,
From a perpetuall spring.
Comforting oynments odours vent,
Sweet'ning the heauens' transparent tent,
Which flow from him his blood who spent
His to blesse to bring.
Which, (as in smell, taste, hearing, sight,)
In feeling als enjoy delight,
The Body changde, spirituall light,
Apt euery way to moue;
Nimble, as thought, to reach by flight,
(Unwearied,) heauen's supremest hight,
The Center low, from Zenith bright,
As It the Minde doth move.
In feeling als enjoy delight,
The Body changde, spirituall light,
Apt euery way to moue;
Nimble, as thought, to reach by flight,
(Unwearied,) heauen's supremest hight,
The Center low, from Zenith bright,
As It the Minde doth move.
By Motion swift, heere, Bodies tost,
If thus endangered to bee lost,
The feeling sense, affected most
Participats most paine:
What Joyes (to view this numbrous host)
The Elementar regions crost,
When both vnharm'd throgh heauen's way post,
Shall then this sense sustaine?
If thus endangered to bee lost,
The feeling sense, affected most
Participats most paine:
What Joyes (to view this numbrous host)
The Elementar regions crost,
When both vnharm'd throgh heauen's way post,
Shall then this sense sustaine?
If Spasmes, if Palsies pincing throes,
If Colick paines invade, (health's foes,)
These torments Feeling vndergoes,
Most sensible of griefe,
Now when sequestred from those woes,
Which marre lifes vnsecure repose,
How shall this sense, set free, rejoyse,
Exult at its reliefe?
If Colick paines invade, (health's foes,)
These torments Feeling vndergoes,
Most sensible of griefe,
Now when sequestred from those woes,
Which marre lifes vnsecure repose,
How shall this sense, set free, rejoyse,
Exult at its reliefe?
191
But euen as one, (more bold than wise,)
A Pilgrimage doth enterpryse,
O're Atlas' tops, which hid in skies,
Crownde are with Winter glasse:
Hudge Mountains past while hee espyes,
Impenetrable Rockes arise,
Forc't to retire, his course applyes
By smoother paths to passe.
A Pilgrimage doth enterpryse,
O're Atlas' tops, which hid in skies,
Crownde are with Winter glasse:
Hudge Mountains past while hee espyes,
Impenetrable Rockes arise,
Forc't to retire, his course applyes
By smoother paths to passe.
So, while aboue the Spheares I prease,
Steps not by Nature reacht, to trace,
The clowds to climbe with halting pace
Lets infinite impeach.
Those reachlesse Ioyes, this boundlesse peace,
In number, measure, weight, encrease:
That scarce begunne, my song must cease,
These hights transcend my reach.
Steps not by Nature reacht, to trace,
The clowds to climbe with halting pace
Lets infinite impeach.
Those reachlesse Ioyes, this boundlesse peace,
In number, measure, weight, encrease:
That scarce begunne, my song must cease,
These hights transcend my reach.
Μουνω δοξα Θεω.
| The works of Sir William Mure of Rowallan | |